A Spring in a Pedal Turn

"In spring and summer winds may blow,
And rains fall after, hard and fast;
The tender leaves, if beaten low,
Shine but the more for shower and blast" ~ In spring and summer winds may blow, Walter Savage Landor

A wonderful May ride was attended by 16 people, and we eventually went to Linlithgow. The forecast was not so great, showers and a stiff breeze, but the breeze wasn't too bad, and we didn't experience a single drop of rain. A very fresh feeling day, and wonderful to be out and about on a bike.

Brightly Cycling in May

So the usual route out to Roseburn, though cycling down toward Fountainbridge, the wind is difficult to ride in to. Everyone is together as we turn right down the cycle steps. On to the cycle path at Roseburn, which today is remarkably easy to ride. Plants are sprouting up and the Spring sunshine breathing fresh life in to the route. Everything is looking clean and sprightly Leaves on the trees are a shiny light green that says "Nature has woken from her winter slumber. Did you miss me?".

From Niddry we took the road route as a change from the canal path. Although from Winchburgh this means generally going up and in to the wind, we didn't really feel any real incline. The slope is gentle, not taxing. As the GPS goes in to no-mans land, Binny Craig can be seen to the right. We turn right then left onto another quiet road. A weird road. When coming back from Linlithgow, this part always seems downhill. Going to Linlithgow, the road give the same impression, downhill. It can't be both, unless it has a weird twist.

At Bridgend Farm, the Ochils Hills were a distant blue green, but not really hazy. Beyond them mountains still topped with snow could be seen. From here a long downhill was followed by the rolling road that sweeps past Beecraigs until you reach the top of the last hill, before the long downhill in to Linlithgow for lunch. The footpath here is called Dark Entry. Ominous, but while the clouds were darkening, the prospect of the final downhill before lunch brightened everybody's mood.

Glorious Tone

After lunch we headed towards Philpstoun, the wind and sun behind us. The countryside is lower, and you feel it being slightly warmer, not just in temperature, but in the surroundings too. Although the road to Philpstoun was closed, we detoured our way through some lovely countryside, not rolling as the morning route, the hills merely slight inclines. So we head north towards Blackness, wide open views of the Ochil Hills, across the Forth, open views of countryside, northward, eastward then south. A small hill lies in wait. By the time someone says we can go this way, some are almost at the top, speeding away.

Not rubbishing the route, we went past The Binns and Philpstoun House before turning off the A road to head for Abercorn. Abercorn Primary School is no more. A sign of the times that a remote Primary School has been converted in to offices for a firm of accountants. The sun is now shining, the showers are dead for now. Blue sky breaks through. The ride is slowed as we go in to the grounds of Hopetoun House. Some bikes can be easily lifted over the gate, but most must be taken through the kissing gate, cyclists and cycles caught up in a weird dance, repeated about a km later with the next gate. This time no bicycle is denied a dance as the gate is too high.

Down to South Queensferry, under the road bridge to access the railway path to Dalmeny. Here the trees are building their green tunnel, which in summer offers cyclists a cool passage. The views of the Forth Railway Bridge, seen through the trees, flicker like some mad bicycle powered silent movie. The only sound from cyclists behind you only serve to enhance this perception.

The path brings us out on to Standingstane Rd near Dalmeny. Heading south, the curtain of trees eventually pulls back to give Wide-screen High Definition views of the Pentland Hills and Edinburgh Airport. Then the final stretch. Up the final hill through Clove Craig then to Cramond Brig and the end of the ride.

A Good Book

Why not try "Scots Poems to be Read Aloud". A collection compiled by Stuart McHardy of well-known and not-so-well-known Scots poems, including includes great works of art and simple pieces of questionable ‘literary merit’. From Luath Press, http://www.luath.co.uk/acatalog/Scots_Poems_to_be_Read_Aloud.html, Cost £5

Warm Regards,
Explore, Dream, Discover

"Let me write down a line of glorious tone,
And full of many wonders of the spheres:
For what a height my spirit is contending!
'Tis not content so soon to be alone." ~ On Leaving Some Friends At An Early Hour, John Keats

Ride Statistics

Distance:       68.2km (42.4 miles)
Average Speed:  18.1km (11.4 mph) Max 45.0 km/h
Total Climbing: 661m (2169ft) Max 157m
Time:           3 hours 46 minutes
Max. Temp.:     14 deg C (46 deg F)

Route Description

Start:  Usher Hall
Out:    Fountainbridge, Roseburn, Silverknowes, Cramond Brig, Burnshot, Kirkliston, Niddry, Winchburgh, Faucheldean, Bridgend Farm, Dark Entry, Linlithgow
Return: Linlithgow, Philpstoun, Abercorn, Hopetoun House, S. Queensferry, Dalmeny, Burnshot, Cramond Brig, Silverknowes, Roseburn
End:    Dalry Rd

Interactive Route Map

The map belows shows the route that we took on the May 2009 Spokes Ride.